A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
by Jake Jacobs
10 January 2010
Jake Jacobs
The HOF I refer to is the Backgammon Hall Of Fame. Voters might make mockery of my title by nominating 1974 World Champion Claude Beer, but I'll chance it. There has been talk of a Hall Of Fame for years, but in this year it will become reality. Chiva Tafazzoli has announced that he will sponsor it. I don't know anything about it: who will vote, how candidates will be nominated, etc. Two suggestions: first, other sports with Halls Of Fame admit not only athletes but those who contributed in other ways: team owners, coaches, etc; for at least one Hall, the one for Rock and Roll, eligibility begins twenty-five years after the nominee's career began. Having made those two general suggestions, I'll make some specific ones, naming a slate of candidates to begin filling the Hall.
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1.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
David120249
Date:
12 Jan 2010 00:25 EST
So.. is that infamous Vegas showgirl picture on the internet somewhere? :)
Also, as a younger player, I'd love to hear more about the great bearoff database race.
2.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
tobaksa
Date:
12 Jan 2010 02:32 EST
Hi David:
I don't think it is, but the best place to check would be the Chicago Point archives, as Bill posted many of Max's pictures.
Not sure if I have enough for an article on the bearoff race, but there isn't space to treat it in this reply. Briefly, the bearoff isn't one aspect of the game that lends itself to straight arithmetic. Danny Kleinman showed that you could work out all of the bearoffs through three checkers versus three checkers using only the three Ps: pencil, paper, and patience. After that computer power is needed. when Dean Muench died he had been working on 8 by 8 for 11 years and counting ... But that's a story for an article some day.
Best,
Jake
3.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
tobaksa
Date:
12 Jan 2010 02:35 EST
Carol Joy Cole has pointed out that I misspelled quite a few names. Not the best way to honor those folks! By the time you read this I hope the editor will have fixed them, but meanwhile my apologies to Andreas Schneider, Peter Jes Thomsen, Sander Lylloff, and The Joker. (Granstedt with only one "d.")
Also, I am told that Pat Gibson has directed over three thousand tournaments! Way to go Pat.
4.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
Timothy075931
Date:
13 Jan 2010 23:10 EST
Great article! Two names I expected to see mentioned among the players were Malcolm Davis and Paul Weaver. But as you said, if you can forget Neil then you can forget anyone!
By the way, what was controversial about the Genud-Dwek match?
5.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
tobaksa
Date:
14 Jan 2010 00:21 EST
Hi Timothy:
You are absolutely right, I overlooked both during the writing of the article (though both flitted across my conscious during the earlier composition phase).
Malcolm is one of the handful of players to have won the most prestigious title in backgammon: the World Cup. His win came during a long stretch in the nineties during which he was winning practically everywhere he entered.
Paul Weaver doesn't boast as long a string of victories (not many players do) but he plays nearly flawless backgammon. Paul is also an author, and is one of the best lecturers on the circuit.
I'd prefer not to comment on the 1981 controversy. Next tournament ask an old timer and they can fill you in.
Best,
Jake
6.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
chipoint
Date:
14 Jan 2010 16:43 EST
We've posted the nude backgammon honey girl at www.chicagopoint.com. Go to the Chicago Point home page, scroll down to where you see a fortune cookie and click on the cookie.
7.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
kimba
Date:
14 Jan 2010 16:57 EST
Thanks Bill, I knew we could count on you!
Jake, I guess you didn't mention yourself as a HOF candidate because you're too modest?!
David
8.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
tobaksa
Date:
14 Jan 2010 20:59 EST
Hi David:
Modesty is one of my many virtues. :-)
Best,
Jake
9.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
tobaksa
Date:
14 Jan 2010 21:03 EST
Hi Bill:
I recalled her wearing boots. I guess I am just kinky.
Best,
Jake
10.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
JJ2
Date:
19 Jan 2010 19:17 EST
Great article Sir! And you are obviously first ballot all the way- stay cool! JJ
11.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
ez2bcubed
Date:
19 Jan 2010 19:41 EST
Nice article.
I think Pat Gibson should be a shoe-in first ballot choice. I would guess he has directed closer to 3000 local tournaments and over 50 regional events. He has been more responsible than anyone for keeping backgammon thriving in Los Angeles and, to a large degree, California. He has made a major contribution to the national scene as well. I can't see him as anything other than a unanimous selection.
12.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
BennettSF
Date:
22 Jan 2010 18:34 EST
Neither Barclay Cooke nor John Crawford ever won a world championship, though both should be in the Hall.So should Meyburg - two world titles - what's a guy gotta do? Also as Golden Oldies - I'd vote for CharlesCotton(1630-1687)first writer to publish a book in English covering our game, and Henry Jones(1831-1899) pseudonym : Cavendish. Last - both Neil and Malcolm deserve, based on their years and many accomplishments, to be selected now, rather than later. Ed (BennettSF)
13.
Subject: Re: A Backgammon HOF Without A Beer
From:
tobaksa
Date:
22 Jan 2010 22:16 EST
Hi Ed:
I saw, but now cannot find, a reference to Ozzie winning thrice, and John Crawford once. Ozzie won one Vegas event, the other two, and Crawford's, I think came before 1967 at tournaments run by Obolensky. However, there would have to have been more than one per year, as the first in 1964 was won by Charles Wacker, and '67 was Tim Holland's first win.
As for Neil and Malcolm, and any others I put in the "not this year," no slight of their abilities is intended. It's a practical matter. If everyone goes in the first year, where is the interest? You'd have fifty people going in, then a wait of 10-20 years before considering the next crop. I think the first year there will see most of the dead immortals (oxymoronic, I know) inducted, and then maybe they will add five names a year. Even then, at some point they will run short because five backgammon greats don't take up the game every year.
Anyway the logistics aren't my department; for that we will have to see what Chiva has in mind.
Best,
Jake
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